Desk construction



Dec. 1, 1959 K. R. SHINN 2,915,351

' nssx CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 19. 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTO 6 KENNETH R. SH INN SMITH, WILSON, LEWS 8t M RAE ATTORNEYS Dec. 1, 1959 K. R. SHINN DESK CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 19. 1958 2 sheets-sheet 2 FIG. 4

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KENNETH SHINN BY SMITH, WILSON, LEWIS 8x MRAE ATTORNEYS- Chair Company, Inc, Elkhart, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Application February 19, 1358, Serial No. 716,105

1 Claim. (Cl. 312-195) The present invention relates to a desk construction, and more particularly to.a knock-down desk which may nited States Patent O" 2,915,35i Patented Dec. 1, 1959 plication to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since spaced desk pedestals 18 are supported by the crossbe disassembled for storage or shipment and which may i be readily re-assembled at the point of use.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a knock-down desk construction whereby the desk may be fabricated at the factory, stored and shipped in a disassembled condition and assembled at the point of usein order to conserve storage space, reduce freight expenses and prevent damage to the desk.

Another object of this invention is the provision of end frames for a desk which are adapted to support a desk top and a pair of desk pedestals with the optional inclusion of a center drawer. I

Another object of this invention is the provision of a novel mounting bracket on each end frame andnovel fasteners which willsecure a horizontal cross-member to.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a knock-down desk having all of the joint and fastening meanseither hidden from view or tastefully blended into the overall design thereby presenting a piece of furniture having a pleasing appearance.

'A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a knock-down desk construction which is durable in use and yet has the necessary sturdy support elements'integrated into an attractive design.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claim, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the desk shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the desk shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an end frame utilized in the Figs. 1 and 2 embodiments.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 5--5 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 6 is a view in perspective of the pedestal utilized in the Fig. 1 embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a segmental view of a detachable leg utilized in the end frame shown in Fig. 4, with parts broken away for the purpose of clarity.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a recess in the top of the pedestal of Fig. 6 showing a mating projection of the desk top.

Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its apbrace 16, the frames 14 and top 12. A center drawer 20, indicated in phantom, may also be provided in the Fig. l embodiment secured to the underside of the top 12 between the pedestals 18.

. The end frames 14, as best seen in Fig. 4, comprise spaced upright leg members 24 which are interconnected at the top by a horizontal cross-member 26 and at a point adjacent the lower ends by a second cross-member 28.

I Spaced desk top support brackets 32 are provided on the upper cross-member 26 projecting inwardly towards the center of the desk 10. The brackets 32 comprise triangular support braces 34 and flat horizontal plates 36 which are provided with a plurality of openings 38 for the reception of wood screws or the like for fastening the end frame 14 to a wooden desk top 12-or for bolts if the top 12 is constructed of metal. A plurality of threaded open'iiigs' 40 arefprovided in the inwardly facing walls 42 of the leg 24, for securement of the pedestal 18. Detachable lower leg elements 30 are fastened to the lower ends of thele'g members 24 as best seen in Fig. 7. The leg member 24, which is preferably asquare metallic tubular section, is provided with a nut 29 having a threaded opening 31. The nut 29 is inserted into the lower end of the leg 24 and is fastened thereto by brazing or the like with a portion projecting outwardly from the leg 24. The detachable lower leg 30, which is also a square metallic tubular section, is provided with a plug 33 having a central opening 35. The plug 33 is fastened within the leg 30, as by brazing, a short distance from the upper end thereof so as to form a recess 37 in the upper end of the leg 30. The projecting portion of the'nut 29 is insertable into the recess 37 so as to provide a supporting structure at the juncture of the legs 24, 30. A bolt 39 extends through the opening 35 and threadingly engages the nut 29 so as to secure the legs 24, 30 together. The juncture of the legs 24, 30 consequently presents a smooth straight contour when viewed from the exterior. The bolt 39 may beloo'sened or tightened by means of an elongated socket wrench which may extend into the leg 30 from the lower end. After the leg 30 has been attached to the frame 14 a floor engaging cap 41 may be secured to its lower end. While the frame 14 may be finished with ordinary paint the lower leg elements 30 are preferably provided with a hard metallic finish such as chrome plate in order to prevent the formation of visable scars and the like due to scuffing and other abrasive contacts.

Two openings 44 are provided in the lower crossmember 28 for attachment of the horizontal cross-brace 16. As may be seen in Fig. 5, the openings 44 are countersunk to receive the head of an attaching bolt 46. The cross-brace 16 is provided at one end with a plate 48 for attachment to the cross-member 28. The plate 48 is substantially the same width as the cross-member 28 and is provided with countersunk openings 50 which register with the openings 44 in the cross-member 28. The horizontal cross-brace 16 is provided with a similar plate 48 at its opposite end for attachment to the second end frame 14.

The nut and bolt assembly 46 which sacures the crossbrace 16 to the cross-member 28 comprises a roundheaded nut 56 and bolt 58. Hexagonal recesses 60, 62 are provided extending axially inwardly from the head of the nut 56 and bolt 58 respectively. These recesses 60, 62 are provided for the insertion of wrenches to tighten the nut and bolt assembly 46.

Fig. 6 shows a pedestal unit 18'which may be utilized in the desk 10. The pedestal 18 comprises a housing 64 in which is mounted slidable drawers 66, 68. A drawer lock 70, as shown in Fig. 1, may be provided on the inwardly facing side of the pedestal 18. The pedestal 18 is mounted by means of the cross-brace 16, end frame 14 and top 12. A lateral slot 72 is formed on the bottom of the housing 64 to engage the cross-brace 16. A plurality of openings 74 are provided in the outer side of the housing 64 to register with the threaded openings 40 provided in the legs 24 of the frame 14. Bolts 76 as may be seen in Fig. 7 extend from the inside of the housing 64 through the openings 74 and spacers 78 to threadingly engage the openings 40. The spacers 78 provide a neat appearance for the desk assembly and prevent the pedestal 18 from being scarred by the legs 24. Recesses 80 are provided in the top of the housing 64 to engage spaced projections 82 which extend from the bottom surface of the desk top 12. Fig. 8 indicates one form the recesses 80 may take to provide a locking engagement with the mating projections 82. A rectangular slot 84 extends inwardly from the outer edge of the housing 64. A shorter V-shaped notch 86 is superimposed upon the slot 84 leaving a projection 85 adjacent the outer edge of the housing 64. The projection 85 has a. shoulder 88 which abuts against the mating projection 82 of the desk top 12. This arrangement locks the pedestal 18 against lateral or longitudinal movement. The shape of the recess 80 and projection 82 provides a joint which will not easily break since the applied stresses will be uniformly distributed over a relatively large volume.

The center drawer assembly 20, as shown in phantom in Figs. 1 and 2, may be installed as desired in the desk structure 10. The center drawer 20 comprises a housing 90 in which is mounted a slidable drawer 92. A drawer lock 94 may also be provided. The center drawer 20 may be secured to the underside of the top 12 by any suitable fastening means extending through the housing 90 and into engagement with desk top 12.

The present invention is thus seen to comprise four basic elements, a top 12, a cross-brace 16 and two end frames 14, to which may be added pedestals 18 and a center drawer 20 as desired. This construction provides a structure which is readily adaptable to mass production techniques thereby reducing manufacturing costs, large material inventories and shipping and storage expenses.

The overall desk structure, while utilizing a minimum of parts, is yet sturdy and durable. The end frames 14 are arranged to be on the exterior of the decorative pedestals 18 and center drawer 20. Consequently, the end frames 14 act as a guard to these elements. The mechanics of the desk permit a design in which objectional features, such as fastening means and joints, are either hidden from view or constructed to form an esthetic appearance. A further advantage is that the adjustable legs and optional pedestal and center drawer arrangements permit a large oflice to have uniformity in furniture style and at the same time furniture which is suited to many different needs.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

A knock-down desk construction comprising a desk top detachably mounted on a pair of spaced end frames; said frames comprising a pair of spaced vertical leg members separated and supported by means of spaced upper and lower horizontal cross-members, a detachable longitudinal cross-brace extending between the lower of the cross-members, said cross-brace comprising a support member having a mounting plate provided at each end thereof at substantially right angles thereto, the plate being provided with a plurality of countersunk openings which register with countersunk openings in the lower cross-members, fastening means extending through the openings and securing the cross-brace to the lower crossmembers, said means comprising a nut insertable into the openings having a rounded head portion larger than the opening, a round-headed bolt extending into the openings to threadingly engage the nut, the head portions of the nut and bolt being received in the countersunk portion of the openings, a wrench engageable hexagonal recess extending axially inward from the outer surface of the head portions of the nut and bolt; and each of the frame leg members being provided with a detachable floor engaging leg element.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,649,805 Brainard Nov. 22, 1927 1,769,255 Card July 1, 1930 1,877,469 Soper Sept. 13, 1932 1,897,568 Bales Feb. 14, 1933 1,914,511 Jones June 20, 1933 2,191,290 Richardson Feb. 20, 1940 2,821,450 Knoll Jan. 28, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 579,684 Great Britain Aug. 13, 1946 

